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July 10, 2005|By Lori Sears | Lori Sears,Sun Staff

Scraped, just the way you like

It looks weathered, aged and worn. Centuries old. And it's hotter than ever. Laminate floors with an aged hand-scraped look are hugely popular. And Wilsonart Flooring has just introduced a laminate flooring that not only has the look of hand-scraped, but also has the texture.

The new Red Label Hand Scraped Collection from Wilsonart features five hardwood designs -- Aged Timberwood, Spanish Maple, Olde Oak, Hickory Plank and Burnished Maple -- each with a handcrafted-wood look and feel, thanks to the work of a hardwood-floor maker who personally hand-scraped the original plates for Wilsonart. Every piece now has the texture of authentic hand-scraped hardwood flooring.

The floors are easy to install (no glue is necessary), can be installed over existing floors and are simple to care for with a damp mop. And they have a lifetime warranty against scratching, denting and moisture damage.

The flooring is available at specialty retailers, including Standard Carpet in Pikesville and Baldwin Carpets & Floors in Towson, and sells for $3 to $5 per uninstalled square foot, and $8 to $10 per installed square foot.

Call 800-710-8846 or visit www.wilsonartflooring.com.

Tossing, turning -- and winning

For many couples, a good night's sleep is hard to find. Between the snoring, the tossing and turning, the blanket-snatching and the disagreeing on room temperature, it's hardly a dreamy night's sleep for one or both of you. And you're sleepy.

Select Comfort wants to help. The bed retailer is sponsoring its "Search for America's Sleepiest Couple" now through Aug. 1. The contest invites couples to write a 150-word essay on why they're "America's Sleepiest Couple" and a description of their worst night's sleep. The winning couple will win "The Key to a Perfect Night's Sleep" package, which includes a Sleep Number 5000 bed, a dual-weight comforter, luxury sheet set, mattress pad, pillows and other accessories. The couple will also receive a trip to New York, where they'll have a consultation with a sleep specialist, and they'll receive a five-night vacation to Aruba.

It's a fact -- you do a little gardening, you get a lot dirty. It's part of the fun, yes? Well, consider the good, clean fun you could be having with the new EZ Grip garden gloves ($4.99) from MidWest Gloves & Gear. Water and mud are no match for the EZ Grip gloves, which are made of a comfortable cotton with a heavily textured rubber coating. Ideal for gripping wet tools and handling wet soil and plants, the gloves, which come in three colors, keep your hands dry and clean.

Midwest Gloves & Gear sells a full line of gardening, outdoor and work gloves, as well as lawn and garden footwear and various garden accessories. Other new items this summer include a gardening mesh organizer, molded kneeling pads, sun visors and more. Products are available at Wal-Mart, Target and Ace Hardware.

For more information, call 800-821-3028 or visit www.midwestglove.com.

Home Front welcomes interesting home and garden news. Please send suggestions to Lori Sears, Home Front, The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, or fax to 410-783-2519. Information must be received at least four weeks in advance to be considered.